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Paul Manship , (Dec 24, 1885–Feb 1, 1966)

Hail to Dionysus Who First Discovered the Magic of the Grape

1930
5/16 in. x 2 7/8 in. (0.79 cm x 7.3 cm)

Medium and Support: Bronze

Credit Line: Museum purchase through Membership to the Society of Medalists

Accession Number: 1930.375

Commentary

This medal was chosen as the 2nd issue of the prestigious Society of Medalists series. The obverse bears a grape-crowned, bearded god of wine over shallow, two-handled kylix. Around, in two lines, HAIL - TO - DIONYSUS - WHO - FIRST - DISCOVERED / THE - MAGIC - OF - THE - GRAPE. The reverse bears youthful satyrs trampling grapes. Below, signed © / .P.MANSHIP 1930.

Manship's medal proved to be highly controversial and thus provided much needed publicity for the still young Society of Medalists. America was still nominally observing Prohibition and at least one member is reported to have resigned over this "glorification of wine."

The medal measures 73mm in diameter. The Medallic Art Company of New York struck a reported 1,950 medals in bronze and 50 in silver.

http://medallicartcollector.com/paul-manship_biography.html

Exhibition List

This object was included in the following exhibitions:

From Starfield to MARS: Paul Manship and his Artistic Legacy [Art Deco at Andover (gal 201) Starfield Through Contemporary Lenses (gals 202-5)] Addison Gallery of American Art , 9/15/2018 - 1/20/2019

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